Cameras in fire engines ... the new way to spy on motorists

Fire engines are being fitted with CCTV cameras that may be used to trap motorists driving without seatbelts or using a mobile phone at the wheel.

The move could be a moneyspinner for fire authorities all over the country but would be seen as yet another Big Brother onslaught on Britain's 33million motorists.

Motoring organisations and the Fire Brigades Union have condemned the plan, saying firefighters would lose the respect of the public if they take on the role of traffic-law enforcers.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority has announced it is paying £440,000 to fit 39 fire engines with six cameras each.

The cameras could be linked to numberplate- recognition systems, which would allow fines to be issued to drivers spotted offending.

The technology could also catch people driving in bus lanes or with inappropriate child seats.

Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation for Motoring, said: "This is a ridiculous suggestion.

"The fire service is held in great esteem by the public for good reason.

"It would undermine its role if it had to enforce minor traffic laws.

"It is a backward step that could lead to a further reduction in traffic police."

Fire Brigades Union spokesman Duncan Milligan added: "What on Earth has the issuing of tickets got to do with the fire service? It's not the job of firefighters to spy on the public.

"If there's a policing role it has to be carried out by the police.

"There are also concerns that this could provoke attacks on firefighters and about the neutrality of the fire brigade in certain situations."

South Yorkshire FRA says the digital cameras, which start filming as soon as an engine leaves a fire station, will help protect its firefighters from assault and abusive members of the public.

But a report to be put before the authority's Business Support Committee tomorrow notes: "Potential future developments include the targeting of road-safety issues, including the correct use of mobile phones, seatbelts and child seats, through links with automatic numberplate-recognition technology."

It adds that the cameras could also be used for accident investigation, training and in mitigation in a case of someone suing the fire service.

Report author Mark Shaw, head of technical services at South Yorkshire FRA, revealed that several other brigades plan to install the systems.

And another source close to the fire service said that nine other brigades - including Greater Manchester and West Midlands - intend to begin CCTV trials.

Mr Shaw said: "We have been in close liaison with other fire brigades over CCTV systems. CCTV is for the protection of our crews from assault and verbal abuse while they attend incidents.

"We have identified other uses that we may consider but there are no ongoing discussions with the police about a law enforcement purpose."

However, the FBU remains worried. Mr Milligan said: "Although the South Yorkshire authority say they are protecting our members, there is a strong chance that we'll end up using the cameras for other purposes."

Numberplate-recognition systems are already used with cameras in bus lanes and at yellow box junctions.

From next month, drivers will be fined £60, double the current level, and given three penalty points on their licence for using a mobile handset while driving.